Jean Simmons Dies at 80

British actress Jean Simmons who became a star in the 1950s and has appeared alongside Laurence Olivier in “Hamlet”, Richard Burton and Marlon Brando has died at her Santa Monica, California home on Friday, January 22. She was 80.

Playing the role of Ophelia in “Hamlet” made Simmons a star, though she was already popular at that time for her work in other British films, including her first starring role in the film adaptation of Uncle Silas and Black Narcissus in 1947.

The British actress is also star of classic Hollywood films such as Guys and Dolls, Spartacus and Great Expectations. She won an Emmy award for her work in the 1980s miniseries The Thorn Birds.